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Mumps Campaign in Cornwall

7 June 2010

The Health Protection Agency and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly are jointly launching a mumps awareness campaign with schools, colleges and local GPs after a sharp rise in the number of mumps cases in the county.


The number of notified cases in Cornwall so far this year is approaching annual levels. Notifications in the first 18 weeks of the year have already reached 134 – just 19 cases short of the 2009 total of 153, raising concerns that people are missing out on the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

Cases confirmed by testing total 36 so far this year compared with 80 last year, but in some cases tests are often self administered and may not be returned. GPs in the county are helping to monitor the outbreak by testing any patients who they see with symptoms to help give a clearer picture.

The awareness campaign urges people in the area to check their immunisation history to ensure they are protected against mumps. The MMR vaccine can be given at any time and protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Posters will be displayed in GP surgeries, schools and colleges and explain what to do if you have mumps and how long to stay away from school or work to help stop any further spread of mumps within the community.

Lee Evans, from the Health Protection Agency in Cornwall, said: “We have seen a sharp rise in the figures this year, there is evidence that the disease is hitting two age groups the hardest – primary and junior school children and 16-25 year olds.

"There is widespread activity throughout the county with hotspots in the large towns, Penzance, Truro and the St Austell/Bodmin areas. That is why we are working closely with the schools and colleges to inform students about mumps and to explain why vaccination is important.

"However, it's not just students who are at risk and we would urge everyone up to the age of 25 to consult their family doctors about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected. MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella."

Mumps is a serious infection which can cause the following symptoms:

  • Painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw
  • Fever and headache
  • Complications can include:
  • Inflammation of the pancreas
  • Viral meningitis (inflammation of the brain)
  • Inflamed and swollen testicles in men and ovaries in women
  • Mumps can also cause deafness.

James Bolt, associate public health specialist for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “We take all community outbreaks of mumps seriously because it can potentially lead to other complications such as viral meningitis and deafness.

"The most effective way of preventing spread of mumps is through immunisation. We know there has been concern among parents about allowing their children to have the MMR vaccine but we are encouraging GPs to discuss these concerns with them to improve the take-up.

"Young people who have missed out thus far including teenagers who may have had single vaccines for measles and rubella only can also have the MMR vaccine free of charge.

"Anyone with such symptoms is urged to contact their GP as soon as possible. MMR vaccine can be given irrespective of a history of measles, mumps or rubella infection."

Last reviewed: 23 June 2010